Rockfornations Interviews to MARKY RAMONE
I interviewed exclusively to one of the greatest, admirable and legendary musicians who Punk Rock conceived , Marc Steven Bell, better known as Marky Ramone, Ex-drummer and songwriter of The Ramones, Dust, The Voidoids, Misfits and now with his solo band, on purpose that he’s been on tour in South America. Marky tells us his beginnings, songs, stories, concerts, his musical career ... Without further ado; it's a real honor for me to introduce you to our special guest who answered pleased from NY, United States.
*How did your career start and your incorporation into The Ramones?
My career started as a teenager with my first band “Dust” I was in high school and we recorded 2 albums. That was way before I met Dee Dee which led me to the other Ramones.
*Is there any anecdote that you remember from the first time you played with them?
I felt that we are making history.
*Do you consider yourself as part in the history of Rock?
I am proud to be a part of the Ramones legacy yes.
*After all these years, you continue playing drums such as masterful way, how do you keep your skills in shape?
I try to eat healthy, which is not always easy especially while you are on tour. No booze, no drugs and playing a lot of good old fashioned sweaty punk rock work outs keep me fit.
*Have you got any anecdote about “Dust” album considering that it was written before Punk Rock came up?
Dust was one of the first heavy metals bands in America in 1970. Back in the day people did not really get the idea about what we were doing. Great to see that these days a lot of people are rediscovering those two albums.
*Until when are you going to keep The Ramone’s songs alive?
I love playing the drums and I love touring so as long as people want to hear the music and want to have me to come to their town I am honored to be out there playing for you.
*How did you take it when The Ramones were included as the first Punk band to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002?
It felt good even late into our career. When the Ramones were out there playing in the 70s and 80s no one but our fans took us seriously. That seems to have changed now over the years. I have been approached by a lot of people telling me how much the Ramones meant to them.
*Is it true that "The KKK Took My Baby Away" was written by Joey about Johnny stealing his girlfriend?
Yes.
*How was your collaboration on Joe’s solo album “Don’t Worry about Me”? You played in 6 tracks of it.
We had a great time recording the album. “Wonderful World” is such a great song and we were so happy the way it sounded. I was on tour when he was in the studio so didn’t have the time to play on every track.
* What can you tell us about the DVD of The Ramones “Raw” (2004) and “Too Tough to Die: A Tribute to Johnny Ramone”?
Raw was my baby, I had so many hours of video lying in the basement and I felt the fans really needed to see this. Back in the day I was always carrying around this real big VHS video camera… a big pain in the ass but at least some great images got captured for eternity.
*Were you used to collect Sci-Fi robots, posters, Horror movies, toys from the 50’s with Johnny?
Yes, I love to collect classic tin toy robots and all kinds of movie memorabilia. Unfortunately I have so much stuff that I cannot put everything on display. I now rotate my favorite things in between my apartment and the basement, once a year I dig out stuff and change everything upstairs.
*Why Deedee was you closer mate in the band?
DeeDee was a fun guy who made me laugh a lot. I was his friend before they ask me to join the band. We were already good friends.
*Can you tell us how did you feel when The Ramones received a Grammy Award in recognition of their career in 2011?
Kind of what I said earlier about the RNR Hall of fame… The Grammys was great as it was an industry recognition. Plus I got to meet Julie Andrews who was there the same night.
*I heard you said the last 2 Ramones CJ and Ritchie should start a band together?
People ask me all the time why I don’t play with these guys and this and that. I just like to do my own thing.
*Will your book “Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life as a Ramone” be released on January 13th, 2015?
Sometime early 2015, yes.
*Besides Michale Graves (ex-Misfits) as the singer who else is in the lineup of your band at present?
We have a new singer Johnny Fontane, who is great; we played in Europe together recently. Since Graves decided to quit touring permanently Johnny stepped in, sometimes Andrew WK in the US. Marcelo G. our guitar player has been with me for many years.
*Do you see yourself playing Punk Rock on stage and agitating your fists in the next 10 years?
Off course, what else am I supposed to do? Sit at home? As long as people want to see me I will be out there playing.
*Who are South American fans for you?
South America is great; I come there 2 – 3 times a year since the late 90s. I love the warmth, the craziness and dedication of the fans down there. I also love the country side, I played everywhere from the Amazonian jungle to Fireland close to the South Pole. Always many great adventures, during time off we usually try to do some sight-seeing…We went to climb on some penguin rocks in the Beagle Channel off Fireland, saw Glaciers in Patagonia, went on Mountain lakes in tiny boats, Island hopping in Paraty, Brazil… and we look for the best sea food restaurants we can find..Donde Augusto in Santiago de Chile and the rotating tower restaurant in Bogota, I forgot the name. Is there good sea food in Venezuela?
Yes Marky, of course. There is great variety. You will find from the most native food to mixture of Mediterranean gastronomy. Simply tasty! If you travel to Venezuela, try out our typical food such as, the “Cachapa”, “Pabellón”, the fried river fish with “arepa” or “Tostón” and salad.
*What do you expect of playing in Argentina and Brazil again on November?
I expect shows full of crazy loud and rowdy South American punk rockers going crazy.
*What do you think about the new trends in Rock music in comparison with the 80’s – 90’s?
Following trends is stupid. Start a trend!
* These questions are more to the personal level: Have you ever felt alone away from home? And what motivated you to be sober?
Life is too short to waste it being fucked up. I enjoy touring so I am used to be away. And today with Internet, Skype etc, etc you never are alone unless you want to be.
*Tell us in one word the first thing that comes to your mind when I say:
-“I Wanna Be Sedated”:
fun
-“Psycho Therapy”:
insanity
-“Pet Sematary”:
hit
“Loco Live”:
fast
-Sex Pistols:
London
-The Clash:
joe
*Does a person with your trajectory feel that something is missing?
Nothing missing. I feel blessed how my life turned out.
*What would you like to tell to your fans and people who read this interview?
Make some noise and tell your promoters to bring Blitzkrieg to Venezuela in 2015.
Long Live Marky & Punk Rock! Hey, ho! Let’s go! Please, if you allow me I would like to dedicate this interview to a longed friend and Venezuelan Punk guitarist, Enrique González (R.I.P.) who lent me the first record of The Ramones that I listened.
Thank you very much Marky. It was an honor and pleasure to interview you. We hope to see you on tour and in Venezuela someday. All the best always!
Visit his official site at: http://www.markyramone.com/ , https://twitter.com/markyramone https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMarkyRamone
Razer Flores, Dragonrock & Rockfornations webzine, @iamRazer_F
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